Even though manufacturing has made a comeback in recent years, there is still a need to recruit new talent to fill the expansion of available jobs. At the same time, veterans entering the workforce need training for the new high-tech manufacturing positions.

Hoping to address both issues simultaneously, the City of Fremont has joined other East Bay workforce stakeholders and employers in the Vets to Tech program. This initiative links community colleges with employers and develops customized, accelerated curricula for veterans entering the workforce. This award-winning model prepares veterans for careers in tech in just two years. Vets to Tech is in its third year and has helped over 20 veterans graduate with skills in mechanical technology. (Meet some of them at https://youtu.be/6aGN1ZfpP8s.)

The Vets to Tech training program, originally launched at Las Positas College, now offers programs in other areas beyond mechanical technology. Responding to regional needs, the partnership is now focused on programs for electrical technicians, mechanical technicians (welders and machinists), and bio-technicians.

We need your input! If your company has these talent needs, we encourage you to help inform the new curricula that is currently being developed, and help determine the best community college locations for the various programs. Workforce development depends on strong collaboration across industries and we are hopeful that our regionÕs manufacturers get involved in making this exciting program work for you.

The City of Fremont will host an employer meeting later this summer and are looking for additional companies to participate. During this meeting, we will begin the process of consolidating common skill sets by employers and matching them to local community colleges. If we receive a strong amount of feedback, we could have a Vets to Tech program started in a community college near you as early as 2018.

To attend the upcoming meeting or to request additional information, please contact FremontÕs Office of Economic Development at econdev@fremont.gov or 510-284-4020.